Rolex Oyster Extra Prima Octagonal, 1938 Rare 18K Solid Gold Vintage Watch, 32mm

Description: Circa 1930’s Art Deco period Gents Rolex Oyster Prima Octagonal hand winding wristwatch. Featuring a wonderful original Rolex Oyster signed much sort after by collectors porcelain dial featuring a centre sweep seconds hand which is ultra rare on this model for the period it was made in. A spectacular top of the range Rolex would have only been afforded by someone well to do. The condition of this time piece demonstrates that it has been worn occasionally on that ‘special’ day. Recently benefited from a service by a Rolex specialist watchmaker, keeping accurate time ready to treasure & enjoy! A ultra rare original, unrestored and untouched Rolex Oyster Extra Prima 18 carat centre sweep wristwatch, with a extremely rare factory porcelain dial in white with black applied Arabic numerals 1 – 12 featuring 1/5th scale chapter ring. The octagonal 18 carat solid gold case measures 32mm from side to side and 34mm from top to bottom, making this a good sized watch for the period. The original, unrestored and untouched white porcelain dial is in wonderful condition as are the beautiful blued steel hands. The hands are also original. The movement fitted to this watch is the original 10½ Hunter, 15 Jewel Extra Prima movement used in Rolex’s highest quality watches of this period. This is the especially high grade ‘Timed to 6 Positions For All Climates’ movement as used in Rolex’s chronometer movements. The movement is in very good condition having just completed a full overhaul and service by a Rolex specialist watchmaker. The Rolex Oyster Octagonal is a vintage model that stands out due to its unique, eight-sided bezel, setting it apart from the more traditional rounded Oyster designs. Introduced around 1930, this model showcases Rolex’s early innovations in waterproof design, featuring the brand’s pioneering “Oyster” case, which was among the first to offer resistance to water and dust. The octagonal shape gives this watch a distinctive Art Deco feel, making it a collectible item, especially prized by vintage watch enthusiasts. This Rolex gents watch made in the time when watches were being made small to show off their watchmaking skills however this piece is housed by the larger 32mm case as oppose to the more common 28mm case. The Original Dial: Signed Rolex Oyster Swiss Made. White porcelain dial with unique applied Arabic numerals along with an applied chapter ring of minute markers. Blue steel spear hands. Fully functional subsidiary seconds sub dial. Dial has patina and marks commensurate with age and wear. Please observe photographs carefully. Original Crystal: Acrylic dome crystal in good condition. Original Case: Rare 32mm octagonal case with a fluted bezel. Has surface scratches and tarnishes all over with signs of heavy wear. Overall the case and lugs are in solid condition. Original Case Back Cover Outer: Screw back milled edge solid gold case. Case has light surface scratches commensurate with age and wear. The case back cover screws and fits perfectly flush - Please observe photos. Original Case Back Cover Inner: Bearing Swiss assay marks 18k 0.750 - Signed Oyster Watch Company Geneva Swiss GREAT BRITAIN PATENTS 260554/1925 274.789 SWISS PATENTS 玉114.948 玉120.851 120.848 122.110 U.S.A Patent 1.661.2532 .D.R.P 471002 48333 R.W.C Ltd 48333. In good condition fits perfectly flush with case. Original Movement: Signed Rolex Extra Prima Swiss Made 15 Jewels Timed 6 Positions For All Climates. Rare movement in good working order, recently serviced by Rolex specialist keeping good time, running superbly. Original Rolex Dust Cover: Signed Rolex 25 Worlds Records Geneva Suisse SAR. In good condition. Original Crown/Winder: Signed Oyster Patent with the Brevet cross in relief. In good working order. Strap/Band Buckle: New good quality unauthentic aftermarket leather strap fitted to a aftermarket steel buckle. *Please observe photographs carefully as they form part of the description* Please note this Rolex is over 90 years old. Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port. Additional Information; ‘The greatest triumph in watch making, the Rolex Oyster. The wonder watch that defies the elements.’ The headline from the front page of the Daily Mail newspaper, November 24th, 1927. Hans Wilsdorf (founder of the Rolex watch company) had succeeded in producing a truly waterproof watch and took the whole front page to advertise his achievement. Following years of striving to improve the ‘wristlet’ or wristwatch, Wilsdorf patented the Oyster case in September 1926. Consisting of three parts, bezel, ring and back that were all threaded to screw together, ensuring the case was water and dust proof. A month later he filed a patent for the screw thread and crown, which would hermetically seal the watch. (This had originally been filed by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret (their one and only patent) in October 1925. Wilsdorf saw the great potential and bought the patent and subsequently filed for the British patent; 260.554.) Wilsdorf saw a great marketing opportunity when 26-year-old Mercedes Glietze swam the English Channel in October 1927. He presented her with an Oyster watch, which she wore on a chain around her neck. After the swim, lasting 15 hours and 15 minutes, the watch was found to be running and telling the correct time! He followed this triumph with window displays of aquariums with Oyster watches submerged inside, an idea he had registered in November 1922. ‘We must succeed in making a watchcase so tight that our movements will be permanently guaranteed against damage caused by dust, perspiration, water, heat and cold. Only then will the perfect accuracy of the Rolex watch be secured’ HW. Continuing his strive for the best, Wilsdorf patented seven more improvements in the next ten years. The Perpetual movement was patented in 1931. This was seen as the best automatic movement, an area where other companies had tried but not succeeded. Wilsdorf was a marketing genius, he raised the profile of Rolex watches with endorsements from sportsmen to explorers; Malcolm Campbell & Edmund Hillary. He presented the 100 000th Oyster watch to Winston Churchill, a gold Rolex Datejust. He also presented the 150 000th watch to Dwight Eisenhower, who later became president of The United States. The ‘Oyster’ name (derived when Wilsdorf had difficulty opening an oyster at dinner) continues to be on the majority of Rolex watches sold today. ‘We want to be the first in the field and Rolex should be seen as the one and only – the best.’ (151)

Price: 8450 GBP

Location: Birmingham

End Time: 2024-11-30T09:15:07.000Z

Shipping Cost: 65.05 GBP